Podcasts about un security council

The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting to discuss the US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites. The UN chief, Antonio Guterres, said that diplomacy and dialogue must prevail to prevent the Middle East from falling into a cycle of retaliation. We'll hear from a former security official in President Trump's first administration and assess the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear operation caused by the US attacks.Also in the programme: We speak to the wife of the Belarusian dissident Siarhei Tsikhanouski who has been released after five years in prison; and Syrian rescue workers say at least fifteen people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a church in the capital Damascus.(Picture: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses delegates during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

President Donald Trump says two more weeks he is waiting to decide to whether to attack Iran over its nuclear weapons program is “a time to see whether or not people come to their senses"; United Nations Ambassadors from Iran and Israel trade accusations at a UN Security Council meeting as their countries continue their military campaigns against each other; head of the International Atomic Energy Agency warns the Security Council of the dangers of a military campaign targeting nuclear facilities; federal appeals court in California rules President Trump likely had the authority to deploy National Guard troops to deal with protests against immigration raids without Gov. Newsom's consent but the courts do have a role in reviewing the specific actions the troops will be doing; Federal Reserve board member thinks interest rates should be cut as early as next month; Supreme Court releases decisions, including one allowing a lawsuit from fuel producers against California vehicle emissions standards to continue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hour 1 Segment 1Tony starts the show talking about President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks on what to do between Israel and Iran. Hour 1 Segment 2Tony talks about the Supreme Court allowing vaping companies to pick courts to hear their challenges. Hour 1 Segment 3Tony talks about 16 billion passwords that have been exposed in a record-breaking data breach, hitting Apple, Facebook, Google, and more. Tony later gets into the Friday audio dump. Hour 1 Segment 4Tony wraps up the first hour of the show talking about the UN Security Council meeting to discuss what’s going on between Israel and Iran. Tony also talks about a petition to remove Sophie Cunningham from the WNBA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iranian and European foreign ministers hold talks in Geneva today as part of diplomatic effort to end the Israel-Iran conflict. UN Security Council meets on Israel-Iran conflict. The Liberal government set to pass its major projects bill as the House rises for the summer. Local businessman Mike Pemberton becomes the new leader of Yukon's Liberal party and the new premier. Mixed progress on health-related calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Summer blockbuster, Jaws, turns 50.

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with development expert and author Ian Smillie to explore his latest memoir, Under Development: A Journey Without Maps. With wit, wisdom, and decades of global experience, Smillie reflects on what he's learned—and unlearned—about international aid, poverty, and the complexity of change. From Sierra Leone to Bangladesh, from the frontlines of the blood diamond trade to the halls of global policy, this thoughtful conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers honest, hopeful insights about what it really means to make a difference.Get a copy of Under Development here.Bio:Ian Smillie is a leading Canadian voice in international development, humanitarian aid, and ethical resource extraction. With over five decades of experience, his work has taken him from teaching in Sierra Leone to advising governments and international organizations on poverty reduction, conflict prevention, and sustainable development. He played a central role in creating the Kimberley Process, an international certification scheme to halt the trade in conflict diamonds, and later chaired the Diamond Development Initiative, promoting fair labor practices for artisanal miners.A gifted storyteller and respected policy thinker, Ian has written extensively on the challenges and contradictions of foreign aid and global development. His books include Blood on the Stone, Freedom From Want, The Alms Bazaar, and Mastering the Machine. His latest memoir, Under Development: A Journey Without Maps, is a deeply personal reflection on the promise and pitfalls of a life spent working for change.Recognized as a Member of the Order of Canada, Ian has served on expert panels for the UN Security Council and taught at leading universities. His sharp insight, global experience, and unwavering moral compass continue to shape conversations about justice, equity, and the role of compassion in international affairs.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United Nations Security Council meets on the military exchanges between Israel and Iran. Iran announces it is pulling out of nuclear talks with the U.S. President Trump posts, "Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to “make a deal”…Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!" Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant who was deported from Maryland to El Salvador, then brought back after an indictment, pleads not guilty in federal court in Tennessee to human trafficking charges. More Republican governors call up the National Guard ahead a weekend of expected protests against Trump Administration policies; Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) talks about the future of his party and young people; former President Bill Clinton and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) give eulogies at today's funeral service of the late Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://youtu.be/wrIFxgnkJ1A Nathan Miller, Founder and CEO of Miller Ink, is on a mission to help organizations communicate clearly and strategically—especially in moments of high stakes and crisis. We explore Nathan's journey from diplomacy and speechwriting at the UN to launching one of California's top crisis communication firms. He shares the Miller Ink Communications Framework, which anchors every campaign with a clear objective, a targeted audience, and a compelling message. Nathan breaks down how to craft memorable messaging using the 3 Cs (Clear, Concise, Compelling) and the 3 S's (Stories, Statistics, Soundbites). He also reveals how to build a reputation-driven business, navigate hiring decisions, and future-proof your communications in a rapidly changing media landscape. --- Communicate in Soundbites with Nathan Miller Good day, dear listeners. It's Steve Preda here with the Management Blueprint and my guest today is Nathan Miller, founder and CEO of Miller Ink. and he's also a seasoned communication strategist with deep experience in business, government, diplomacy, crisis management and issue advocacy. Nathan, welcome to the show. Thanks for having me, Steve. It's great to be here. Well, it's good to have you. And I've got some questions I'm really curious about that I want to ask you. And starting with my favorite one, what is your personal “Why” and what are you doing to manifest it in your business? My personal “Why” really is a couple of things. One, our business makes a huge impact for a lot of people and to feel that impact every day is tremendous and it gives me a lot of satisfaction and pride. The people who work for Miller Ink., the people who work here and launched their careers through this company, our clients, every day you get to be in rooms with people who are solving problems, addressing challenges, navigating different challenges, and helping them get to a better place is incredibly gratifying. You want to be somebody who's of service in that way. We do a lot of advocacy and mission-driven work as well as an agency. I've done a lot of work on behalf of the Jewish community and the State of Israel, which has also been very meaningful. And for me, the most important personal “Why” is I have three kids and so much of what I do is really for them. And that is really one of my big North Stars in life. Yeah, well, lots of meaningful stuff in your life. And you left the UN Security Council, where you were a writer, to become a PR entrepreneur. So tell me about this journey. The journey was crazy. My career began, I got a master's in public policy here at UCLA. I went to Europe for a little bit. I worked in Brussels with the EU institutions there at a think tank. And then I came back and I worked at a PR firm in LA for a couple of years early in my career. I got a job as the chief speechwriter for Israel's mission to the UN. And it was a crazy time to be doing that job. I was really young, and it was the outbreak of the Arab Spring. A lot of different things that were happening in the Middle East and in the world. So, fascinating moment. And I did that job for three years. And at that point, my now wife and I were dating, and she was in LA and I was in New York, and we had to figure out a place to be. So I said, you know what, I'm gonna come back. And I think I have a problem with authority is what I learned working in big institutions in different ways. And I like to be able to set the pace of what I do. And so I say, every entrepreneur has a different cross that they're trying to not bear. And for me, it was really having control of my own destiny, and that mattered a lot to me. So I was a young guy. I saw communications changing rapidly, really rapidly. When I started at the UN, then the ambassador, Susan Rice, they asked her if she was on Twitter and she said, I don't do diplomacy by haiku. And that was like a funny thing.

From March 14, 2023: For years, the international community has wrestled with how to reconcile sanctions policies targeting terrorist groups and other malevolent actors with the need to provide humanitarian assistance in areas under those groups' control. Late last year, both the Biden administration and the UN Security Council took major steps toward a new approach on this issue, installing broad carveouts for humanitarian assistance into existing sanctions regimes. To talk through these changes, Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sat down with two leading sanctions experts: Rachel Alpert, a Partner at the law firm Jenner & Block and former State Department attorney, and Alex Zerden, the Founder and Principal of Capitol Peak Strategies and a former Treasury Department official, including at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. They talked about the long-standing issues surrounding humanitarian assistance, what these changes may mean in jurisdictions like Afghanistan, and where more changes may yet be forthcoming. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US has vetoed UN Security Council's draft resolution calling for an "unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in Gaza. The other 14 members voted in favour. Also: how a daily cup of chickpeas can lower cholesterol.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning travel from certain countries, citing national security concerns — and pointedly, the DIY flamethrower attack on Sunday in Boulder, Colorado. Magid explains which nations are -- and are not -- affected, and discusses the new ban on foreign students at Harvard University. For the first time since Trump took office, the United Nations Security Council discussed and voted on a substantive resolution related to the war in Gaza. The resolution, which was vetoed by the United states, called for a ceasefire, release of the hostages and surge of humanitarian aid into the Strip. Magid weighs in on the significance of the vote. Mediators are reportedly optimistic that Hamas will soon submit an updated hostage deal proposal that will be closer to what US special envoy Steve Witkoff presented last week, three sources familiar with the matter told Magid. But does this optimism have any grounds? What's changed? The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced that its aid distribution sites would again not open on Thursday morning to give time for the US- and Israeli-backed organization to carry out logistical work needed to accommodate larger crowds. We discuss this aid effort in the context of other, now suspended attempts, such as air drops from Jordan. Israel decided to block a Saudi-led delegation from visiting the West Bank earlier this week. It would have been the first visit by a Saudi foreign minister since Israel took over the West Bank in 1967, and had been intended to boost the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority as a viable candidate to replace Hamas as the governing body of Gaza after the war. Magid adds nuance and context to this decision and its repercussions. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump bans travel from 12 countries, ties it to attack on Colorado Jewish rally Trump moves to bar US entry to foreign students planning to study at Harvard US vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire Mediators optimistic Hamas will soon submit softened hostage deal proposal — sources GHF says Gaza aid sites won’t reopen Thursday morning as planned, after one-day shutdown Saudi official says Israel harmed normalization by blocking West Bank visit – report Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and video edited by Thomas Girsch. IMAGE: US Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea (C) speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting to vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York City on June 4, 2025. (Leonardo Munoz / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IDF recovers the bodies of Judi Weinstein Haggai and Gadi Haggai, two Israeli Americans who were taken on October 7th; Senior Israeli security officials confirmed that Israel is arming Palestinian militias in Gaza to fight Hamas; The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; Canada looking to incriminate israelis with dual israeli canadian citizenship; archaeologists uncovered a broken limestone mug in the ruins of a Jewish home on Mount Zion.Click that you heard about Hasod (gift boxes) from “a podcast” when you check out. https://www.hasodstore.com/shopsmallIsrael Daily News website: https://israeldailynews.orgIsrael Daily News Roundtable: https://www.patreon.com/shannafuldSupport our Wartime News Coverage: https://www.gofundme.com/f/independent-journalist-covering-israels-warLinks to all things IDN:⁠ https://linktr.ee/israeldailynews⁠Music: Arba Bavot - Ariella Zeitlin https://open.spotify.com/track/6euM6u63SBOeFjDzK3F01A?si=195107cb5ff84b3a

The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The remaining 14 UN Security Council members voted in favour of the resolution, which demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas and a release of the hostages.

The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The US vetoes a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza; Tasmania's premier continues the fight for his political life; and, in sport, rising Australian tennis star Emerson Jones has reached the final eight at the French Open.

The Smart 7 is an award winning daily podcast, in association with METRO, that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7am, 7 days a week…With over 18 million downloads and consistently charting, including as No. 1 News Podcast on Spotify, we're a trusted source for people every day and we've won Gold at the Signal International Podcast awardsIf you're enjoying it, please follow, share, or even post a review, it all helps... Today's episode includes the following: https://x.com/i/status/1930219474222735629 https://x.com/i/status/1930188549988429856 https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1DXGyqYQmqVGM https://x.com/i/status/1930177700334899608 https://x.com/i/status/1930435653952778734 https://x.com/i/status/1930265784925749742 https://youtu.be/Xt0H2J7r_7Q https://x.com/i/status/1930292314737435088 https://x.com/i/status/1930249587224133840 Contact us over @TheSmart7pod or visit www.thesmart7.com or find out more at www.metro.co.uk Voiced by Jamie East, using AI, written by Liam Thompson, researched by Lucie Lewis and produced by Daft Doris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

① Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has paid a three-day visit to China. Why does China view its ties with Belarus from a strategic and long-term perspective? (00:52)② US defense chief Pete Hegseth has skipped a meeting of 50 defense ministers at NATO headquarters that was aimed at coordinating military aid for Ukraine. What does his absence indicate? (13:34)③ The US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Does Washing have a legitimate concern that the resolution would embolden Hamas? (24:09)④ Thursday marks the World Environment Day. We take a look at how environmental protection and ecological restoration are advancing in China and beyond. (34:11)⑤ We explore the vitality of China's inbound tourism. (42:42)

There is outrage over the US vetoing a UN Security Council resolution for Gaza. The resolution calls for a permanent ceasefire and demanded unrestricted aid entry to the Strip. But while Israel is bombing and starving Palestinians, will any UN resolution make a difference? In this episode: Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics, University of San Francisco. Luigi Daniele, Associate Professor of International Law, Molise University. Firas El Echi, Journalist. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

On today's episode: NATO is set to approve new military purchases as part of a defense spending hike; Russia launches a new series of drone attacks against Ukraine; President Donald Trump issues new travel bans; at least 11 people died in a stampede outside a cricket stadium in India; and the latest in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire. Trump orders investigation of Biden’s use of an autopen, claiming White House cover-up. Ex-White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre left Democratic Party, publisher of her book says. Judge says migrants sent to El Salvador prison must get a chance to challenge their removals. Spike in steel tariffs could imperil Trump promise of lower grocery prices. San Francisco leaders blast Trump for trying to erase gay rights icon Harvey Milk's name from ship. Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and leave 10.9 million more uninsured, CBO says. Both parties react to Elon Musk's response to the Trump tax cut bill. Pennsylvania is suing the USDA over cutting funding to a $1 billion food aid program for states. Trump says Putin told him that Russia will respond to Ukrainian attack on airfields. US- and Israeli-backed group pauses food delivery in Gaza after deadly shootings. David Jolly, a Trump critic and former GOP congressman, to run for Florida governor as a Democrat. Family of teen arrested on his way to volleyball practice asks immigration officials to release him. Vigil held for victims of Boulder firebombing attack as suspect's family fights deportation. 1 dead after severe weather tears through central US, including flooding in Texas and Kansas. Texas hospital that discharged woman with doomed pregnancy violated the law, a federal inquiry finds Washington man supplied chemicals used in California fertility clinic bombing, authorities say. Wall Street’s big rally stalls following some discouraging economic data. Ground beef sold at Whole Foods may be tainted with E. coli, USDA says. Harvey Weinstein doesn't plan to testify at sex crimes retrial. The Oilers strike first in the Stanley Cup Final, Novak Djokovic moves two wins away from his 25th Grand Slam title and Coco Gauff prevails at the French Open, a new coach for Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the NBA, a 12-win team gets its first series victory in baseball and a costly miscue to open the Women’s College World Series finals. Gary Bettman says NHL-NHLPA talks on a new CBA are 'in really good shape.' Trump's support of Rose among the voices Manfred listened to in ruling MLB ban ended with death. FanDuel bans bettor over heckling incident with Olympic champion sprinter Gabby Thomas. A quiet Tiananmen Square anniversary displays China's ability to suppress history. —The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Theme music The News Tonight, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: ZR2MOTROGI4XAHRX

The US has vetoed the UN Security Council's draft resolution calling for an "unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in Gaza. The meeting of ambassadors at the UN comes on the day the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross called the situation in Gaza "worse than hell on earth".President Trump says he's had another phone conversation with Russia's President Putin about the war in Ukraine. During the call Mr Trump said the Russian President told him that Moscow would retaliate after Ukraine attacked Russian war planes over the weekend.Also on the programme; Astronomers say they've discovered a big new planet, which is unusually orbiting around a very small star. The physicist who discovered the planet joins us.And the American novelist, Edmund White, famous for chronicling gay life in the US - has died at the age of 85. We hear from Damian Barr, Scottish Writer and broadcaster, who shares his memories of meeting White.(Photo: Smoke rises from Gaza after an explosion, as seen from Israel, 4 June, 2025. Reuters/Amir Cohen)

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The UN Security Council heard testimony this week from a US surgeon who says he treated children who were deliberately shot in Gaza. To discuss this Dr. Feroze Sidhwa

This is TRT World's Daily News Brief for Wednesday, May 14th. Palestine says Israel continues to 'weaponise aid' to punish Gaza "Palestine's representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, says Israel is using starvation as a deliberate weapon in Gaza. He accused Israeli authorities of systematically blocking aid and manipulating its delivery—not just occasionally, but in a way he described as deliberate and ongoing for over two months. Mansour told the UN Security Council that this isn't just mismanagement, it's what he calls ""engineered starvation""." Trump's Arab ally worked discreetly to secure release of US-Israeli captive:sources "Sources have told TRT World that the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander was the result of quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy, and a key figure in this was American-Arab activist Bishara Bahbah. According to the sources, a senior Hamas official reached out to Bahbah last month in search of a communication channel to Steve Witkoff, who served as Donald Trump's Middle East envoy. That backchannel eventually led to Alexander's release, carried out by Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades." Celebrations in Damascus as Syria calls Trump's decision to lift sanctions 'a turning point' "Over in Syria, officials are celebrating what they see as a major shift in US policy. President Donald Trump's move to lift sanctions on Syria is being hailed as a ""turning point"" by the country's leadership. Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani welcomed the announcement, saying it marks a significant moment for the Syrian people. He called it a step toward greater stability, economic independence, and the chance to rebuild after years of war." Trump secures $600B Saudi investment pledge on Gulf tour "Donald Trump has locked in a massive $600 billion investment pledge from Saudi Arabia during his Gulf tour. As Trump stepped off Air Force One, he was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Later, the two signed a major agreement in Riyadh that includes cooperation in energy, defence, mining and more. The deal also features what Washington is calling the biggest-ever defence sales agreement between the two countries—nearly $142 billion worth of commitments in that area alone." Spain chooses Turkish HURJET as advanced trainer for its air force "In a notable boost for Turkish aerospace, Spain has picked Türkiye's HURJET as the next advanced jet trainer for its air force. The news comes just as the 2025 International Defence and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF) wraps up. According to Spanish aviation media outlet Avion Revue Internacional, an official signing is expected this Wednesday between the Spain's defence industry and HURJET's manufacturer Turkish Aerospace. The agreement sets the stage for future collaboration and the formal inclusion of HURJET into the Spanish Air and Space Force's training fleet."

The UN Security Council has urged an immediate halt to the fighting in South Sudan and renewed its peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, for another year. South Sudan has formally been at peace since a 2018 agreement ended a five-year civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. But recent tensions between Kiir and Machar threaten the fragile peace.

Jerry spoke to Niamh Ní Bhriain who’s one of the organisers of the Neutrality Roadshow. They’re holding an event in Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare tomorrow night and on Monday, May 12th at 6pm, they will be in Ballylongford. The group is adamant that the triple lock should be maintained – this means that after gaining approval from the Government and Dáil to send our defence forces abroad, approval is also needed from the UN Security Council. The five permanent members of the security council are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The UN Security Council held a closed-door consultation Monday to discuss rising India-Pakistan tensions after a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. The meeting, initiated by Greece and requested by Pakistan, saw calls for de-escalation and “tough questions” reportedly posed to Islamabad. Though no official statement was issued, Pakistan claimed its goals were “largely served.” UN official Khaled Khiari briefed members on the volatile situation and emphasized dialogue and peaceful resolution. The UNSC's 15 members discussed the issue amid growing concern over regional stability following the deadly attack.The Indian Army on Tuesday apprehended a Pakistani national near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch's Chakkan Da Bagh area, amid surging India-Pakistan tensions. Army officials said the man is under interrogation. His capture follows the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 25 tourists and a local, triggering frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the LoC. The Indian Army has responded with retaliatory fire as border hostilities intensify. Military officials say heightened vigilance continues along the volatile frontier, which has seen firing in multiple sectors over the past few days.Amid fears of an Indian military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Centre on Monday instructed northern and western states and Union Territories to test civil defence readiness. The Ministry of Home Affairs directed mock drills for May 7 across J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana. States were asked to activate air raid sirens, implement blackout protocols, train civilians in safety drills, and practice evacuation plans. The alert comes as cross-border tensions spike and India braces for possible retaliation, with the Line of Control witnessing daily ceasefire violations since the attack.The Supreme Court warned Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on March 25 that AIIMS may take over its management if it continues to violate land lease terms requiring free treatment for poor patients. Over 12 years, Apollo reportedly allocated only 17% of its mandated Economically Weaker Section (EWS) beds, with some years as low as 12%. The court's rebuke follows a review of internal records revealing chronic underperformance. The hospital was granted land at concessional rates with the condition of providing EWS care, a commitment it now risks losing if non-compliance continues.The Trump administration has introduced a controversial new policy encouraging undocumented immigrants to leave the U.S. voluntarily. According to The New York Times, migrants will be offered $1,000 and a plane ticket home if they choose to self-deport. Payment is issued after departure is verified through the CBP Home app. Officials claim the policy will reduce deportation costs, which typically involve locating, detaining, and flying individuals out via government resources. The policy is being framed as a cost-saving measure amid ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and border control.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 5th of May and here are the headlines.Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Monday, following a briefing by Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on India's military preparedness after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The meeting focused on potential retaliatory measures against Pakistan. Additionally, the UN Security Council will hold a closed-door meeting regarding the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, with Pakistan calling for an emergency session. India has already taken actions, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties.Pakistani troops engaged in unprovoked firing across eight forward sectors along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, violating ceasefire agreements. This marks the 11th consecutive night of such violations, following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The unprovoked firing has been widespread, with violations now affecting multiple sectors along the LoC, a shift from past occurrences, which typically focused on southern Pir Panjal. India retaliated to protect its borders and maintain peace in the region amidst rising tensions with Pakistan.Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir discovered a militant hideout in the border district of Poonch on Monday. During a search operation in the Surankote forest area, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group recovered five improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and two wireless sets. The search followed intelligence reports. The IEDs, weighing between 0.5 kg and 5 kg, were destroyed in a controlled explosion at the site. The operation underscores ongoing efforts to neutralize militant threats in the region, especially amid rising tensions with Pakistan.Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the Pahalgam terror attack during a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. He expressed deep condolences for the victims and reiterated Russia's full support for India's fight against terrorism. Putin emphasized that the perpetrators and their supporters must be brought to justice. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Additionally, Modi extended greetings to Putin on Russia's 80th Victory Day anniversary, highlighting the longstanding diplomatic ties between the two nations.That's all for today. This was the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of 'live-streamed genocide' in Gaza Amnesty International, in a report, accuses Israel of perpetrating a “live-streamed genocide” in Gaza, underlining systematic mass slaughter, starvation and ruthless displacement of Palestinians. "States watched on as if powerless, as Israel killed thousands upon thousands of Palestinians, wiping out entire multigenerational families, destroying homes, livelihoods, hospitals, and schools,""Amnesty's Secretary General Agnes Callamard said. With 1.9 million Palestinians driven from their homes, Amnesty described Israel's invasion as an “engineered humanitarian apocalypse.” Amnesty also highlights escalating violence and apartheid in the occupied West Bank. UNHCR slams UN Security Council for 'chronic failure' to stop wars The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees chief Filippo Grandi criticised the UN Security Council for its chronic failure to prevent global violence, accusing the body of neglecting its responsibility to uphold peace. "This is a season of war. This is a time of crisis. From Sudan to Ukraine, from the Sahel to Myanmar, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Haiti, violence has become the defining currency of our age," Grandi said, pointing to escalating crises across the world. He warned that cuts to humanitarian aid are already costing lives and jeopardising millions. Grandi demanded urgent action, urging the Council to stop hiding behind diplomatic failures and take real risks to end conflict and protect civilians. Pakistan warns of imminent Indian incursion after Kashmir attack Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warns of an imminent military incursion by New Delhi following last week's deadly attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir. Tensions between the two neighbours have escalated, with Asif citing India's growing aggressive rhetoric. The attack, which killed 26 people, triggered calls for action against Pakistan, despite a lack of proof of involvement, while Islamabad called for a neutral investigation. While Pakistan remains on high alert, Asif stressed that nuclear weapons would only be used in self-defence. International calls for de-escalation continue, including from Türkiye and China. Liberal Party secures victory in Canada's election: projections Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party has won Canada's election, according to projections from CBC and CTV News. While it remains unclear whether the party will secure a majority, Carney's team is expected to form the next government. The election saw US President Donald Trump's comments, including a suggestion of Canada joining the US, influence the race. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticised Trump's interference, reaffirming Canada's sovereignty. Carney, who recently replaced Justin Trudeau, has emphasised the need for stability and calm leadership. Iberian Peninsula in chaos as power outage hits Spain, Portugal A colossal power outage plunged Spain, Portugal, and Andorra into chaos on Monday, disrupting daily life across the Iberian Peninsula. By Tuesday, Spain had managed to restore power to half the country, with a full recovery imminent. Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro hinted that the catastrophe likely stemmed from Spain, though the cause remains shrouded in mystery. European Council President Antonio Costa dismissed any cyberattack claims, but the hunt for answers continues. The unprecedented blackout also sent shockwaves through parts of France, leaving authorities scrambling for answers.

Baroness Catherine Ashton, formerly the European Union's lead for foreign and security strategy, discusses challenges, opportunities and tips for collaborative strategy-making. As the EU's first High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton was at the heart of international strategy making between 2009 and 2014 working on some of the world's most intractable problems. She was appointed by the UN Security Council to lead the P5+1 negotiations for a nuclear deal with Iran and was in post when Russia first invaded Ukraine, seizing Crimea and parts of the Donbas in 2014. She also led peace negotiations in the Western Balkans between Serbia and Kosovo, for which she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In this episode, she reflects on strategy-making in an international and supranational context, the challenges facing Europe today and how ‘false binaries' – such as those that posit the EU and NATO as being in opposition – stifle effective strategy elaboration. She argues that strategy makers need preparedness of thought and action, the ability to ground their ambition both in reality but also in individual and organisational values, as well as the will to ask, and respond to, the key question of any adaptive strategy, ‘And then what?'. In an illustrious career, The Rt Hon The Baroness Catherine Ashton of Upholland LG GCMG PC was a minister, Leader of the House of Lords, the UK's first female Commissioner in the European Union and the High Representative and First Vice President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the Barroso Commission establishing the European External Action Service as a major actor in international affairs.

What if the only way to save the planet... is to cool it? Not figuratively—literally. Because the heatwaves, floods, and fires you've seen so far? They're just the beginning.

"Nobody wins in trade wars," said António Guterres as he left a UN Security Council meeting this week. But it's clear there's at least one big loser: American diplomacy. This week, Anjali and Mark break down how the Trump tariffs are rippling through the UN — and how they're complicating diplomacy on issues that have nothing to do with trade. We also speculate on who Trump might tap as his next envoy now that Elise Stefanik is out. Plus, we dig into the UN's role in Gaza as both diplomacy and humanitarian aid grind to a halt, and what's next for the World Food Program after a stunning announcement — and sudden retraction — from a senior DOGE official. Get the full episode with your paid subscription. https://www.globaldispatches.org/  

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.globaldispatches.org"Nobody wins in trade wars," said António Guterres as he left a UN Security Council meeting this week. But it's clear there's at least one big loser: American diplomacy. This week, Anjali and Mark break down how the Trump tariffs are rippling through the UN — and how they're complicating diplomacy on issues that have nothing to do with trade. We also speculate on who Trump might tap as his next envoy now that Elise Stefanik is out. Plus, we dig into the UN's role in Gaza as both diplomacy and humanitarian aid grind to a halt, and what's next for the World Food Program after a stunning announcement — and sudden retraction — from a senior DOGE official.

Amid a shifting balance of power and mounting transnational challenges, the international order is evidently in transition. But with the great powers at loggerheads, will the Global South succeed in building a new international order that reflects their interests? And can the “hedging” strategies of Global South states succeed in bridging the divides – both amongst themselves and with others – that currently obstruct the international community's ability to address global challenges? On the heels of the publication of the Better Order Project's signature report, join the Asian Peace Programme (APP) and the Quincy Institute for a discussion of this strategic issue – and its potential implications for policy areas ranging from UN Security Council reform to the Middle East, to climate security.

Qatar refutes claims of paying to disrupt Israel-Hamas negotiations Qatar condemned and rejected allegations that it made "financial payments" to undermine efforts by Egypt and mediators in talks between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza. It affirmed that "these allegations are baseless and serve only the agendas of those who seek to sabotage the mediation efforts and undermine relations between nations," it added. Doha "remains committed to its humanitarian and diplomatic role as a mediator between the relevant parties to end this devastating war and is working closely with Egypt in our efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and protect civilian lives," it stressed. Brown University hit with $500M funding freeze amid Gaza protest The Trump administration plans to halt over $500M in contracts and grants to Brown University over its response to alleged anti-Semitism, a White House official said. It comes two days after the Trump administration halted research grants at Princeton University and began reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to Harvard University. Dozens of other universities are facing federal investigations following a wave of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide protests last year, but the administration has focused special attention on elite colleges. Palestine urges UN to act against Israel's land grab in Gaza Palestine's ongoing envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the UN Security Council to act against what he described as Israel's ongoing annexation of Palestinian land under the guise of security operations. Mansour warned that failure to act would deepen Palestine's despair and reinforce perceptions that the world is abandoning them. Mansour stressed that Israel is prioritising territorial expansion over the release of hostages, saying ""Israel's true objective is not the release of the hostages but stealing Palestinian land." South Korea's Constitutional Court ousts impeached President Yoon South Korea's Constitutional Court decided to oust President Yoon Suk-yeol, upholding parliament's impeachment motion over his short-lived imposition of martial law last year. With Yoon's ouster on Friday, a presidential election is required to take place within 60 days, according to the country's constitution. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated. Turkish finance minister vows to enhance economic ties with EU Türkiye and the EU developed a consensus on enhancing economic relations and increasing cooperation in all areas, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said. The EU and Türkiye held the first High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) meeting in six years in Brussels on Thursday. Issues such as the modernisation of the Customs Union and visa facilitation were also discussed between the two sides. "In the government-to-government session, the parties reviewed the latest economic policy developments and prospects in Türkiye and the EU, amid a challenging and highly uncertain global outlook," it added.

T.V. Paul, professor of international relations at McGill University, talks about his recent book Unfinished Quest: India's Search for Major Power Status from Nehru to Modi. Paul discusses India's international status, the push for permanent membership on the UN Security Council, India's military capabilities and “reactive grand strategy,” India's complex relations with Russia and China, how some of India's domestic problems hamper its international ambitions, and strategic management of the U.S.-Indian relationship, among other topics. Show NotesT.V. Paul, Unfinished Quest: India's Search for Major Power Status from Nehru to Modi, (Oxford University Press, 2024). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first Ishara open  House Challenge .Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.Odd Happenings{8:58 am, Wednesday, Sept. 3rd ~ 5 Days to go; the Final Salvo ~ at this time}I had deposited my Mother in the place I felt was safest for her   with OT (Oyuun T m rbaatar) at the Kazakhstan's UN mission. Her being my family was what mattered to them most. I picked her up on my way to work, which made my entrance into the lobby all that much more cataclysmic.I was traveling light with only Wiesława Živa providing me with security. Chaz, Pamela and Juanita were catching up with their sleep, with a promise of taking me out for a late lunch. That was really them telling me to not leave JIKIT until they came for me around 2:00 pm.So anyway, me, Mom and Wiesława walked into the ground floor of the Mil Ma Towers to find eleven people waiting on us. We were in downtown Manhattan in a part of town the NYPD paid particular attention to. What could go wrong, right? Two of the people were Amazons from Havenstone. With them were two fine young men from the US 'don't make me kill you' Department. By this time in my life I was sure they had one   which no one talked about.Five of my expectant visitors were of the same mold as those who protected Hana for me. Not the Ghost Tigers   that would have put me at ease. Sure, they were a gang of assassin and in this circumstance; I would have preferred them. As it was, ten sets of highly-trained Illuminati operative eyes kept me, my party and the four guardians of JIKIT in their overlapping fields of vision.The last two, were doing an impromptu family reunion. They were Aunts 'X' and 'Y', and neither of them smelled like fish, or crab."Aunt Deidre," I tossed out there. "What brings you here today?"It looked like clobbering time! No. Wait. Neither Mom, nor my aunts, were saying anything and they were normally so verbose."Sibeal.""Imogen.""Sibeal, you are looking surprisingly well for a dead woman," the other one said."Deidre, you are looking surprisingly alive for someone who deserves to be dead," Mom bantered back."How long have you known about this?" Imogen's eyes flickered my way."Not long, a while, more than a day, ah, take your pick," I mumbled. I decided to turn that frown aka 'my gut wrenching terror that my Mother was about to die' upside down aka ramped up my sexy, 'glad to see you in a totally incestuous way'."So, what brings you here today and why aren't you waiting upstairs with the rest of my band of cutthroats, malcontents and ne'er do-wells? Oh, and I'm happy to see both of you." Karma was about to bitch-slap the shit out of me and it was so well deserved."I'm pregnant," Imogen studied my reaction. Yeah, I had banged her after Deidre, but before Baibre because I am a fucking reprehensible human being and sometimes, I feel I am utterly irredeemable."Great news," I exhaled. I so wanted to ask 'so, who is the father?' except that was too cruel, even for an O'Shea.No one stopped me from stepping up and hugging her. Everyone in the lobby had heard her loud and clear. Anyone who knew me, or even about me, knew she wasn't passing on the information because Imogen liked sharing good news. I kept my hands on her hips while I leaned my torso back until we could make eye contact."Does Granddad know?" It occurred to me in that second that Pamela was going to kick herself for missing this and the opportunity to kick me as well."I told him over the phone. His reaction was neutral," she responded."Whoa, girl? Boy? How are you doing? When are we going to sit down and figure out a name? Is there anything I can do for you?""Come home with me," she suggested."No," Mom snapped. "Next time he steps into your custody, we all know you won't let him get away." She meant the plane trip to Ireland."No, Mom," I countered. "I'm a grown man now and I make my own decisions. That being said   no, I'm not going home with you.""Not only am I still in love with the concept of my personal freedom, I have important work to do. People are counting on me.""We are counting on you too," Deidre stated. "In fact, that is the other reason we came here. We need you.""Why do I feel that has to do with something besides sex?""Can we talk to you in private?" Imogen requested. There were a thousand and one reasons to say 'no'. Things like 'common sense', bad behavior   they had murdered my homicidal uncle   and the fact they were as morally twisted as their creator. Oh   and they were hot and I hadn't been laid in forever."Sure. Let's go upstairs. You can have your people sweep the room to ensure our privacy then the four of us can sit down and have a family chat," I offered."We don't want her in the room," Deidre indicated Mom."We are a package deal," I denied her. "Like her, or not, she is as much family to me as you both are."They consented far too fast. Either I was falling into their masterful trap, or something horrible had happened. Neither options was palatable to me. The bodyguards departed, Wiesława last of all."What's gone wrong?" Mom preempted me. Her sisters glared."Father's body is not his own," Imogen told us. I was trying to figure out the relevance of that when Mom gasped."Oh fuck," she said in a small voice. "No serum?" Oh yeah, the refinement of those addictive pheromones Grandpa Cáel had gifted me with. Whatever flesh-form he currently inhabited wasn't one containing his genetic make-up meaning,"Oh shit," I mumbled. "What can I do?""Yes," Deidre replied to Mom."Let them die," Mom insisted (to me). Less I forget, she was raised by Grandpa Cáel too. Her being a loving mother to me didn't translate over to her being a humanitarian of any kind."The Hell you say," I jumped up and stared down at Mom. "You hate them. I don't. Letting them die makes me worse than him." Grandpa."So you will help us?" Deidre moved to the edge of her seat."Okay. This is the point where I threaten you into making some concessions, we argue then you eventually cave in because no matter how terrible your futures look, you aren't willing to give up on living. None of that is going to happen. What do you need from me?""Come back with us to Ireland so we can finish our experiments," Imogen joined me in standing. Unwilling to give her sister any physical advantage, Mom stood as well."No. That isn't even a believable lie," I scolded her. "You don't need to blackmail me into helping you. I'll do it gladly. That doesn't mean I'll let you trick me into doing something stupid. I do 'stupid' all the time. I'm accustomed to it and I know it when its ugly head rises up before me. Try again.""We could pick a neutral location," Deidre suggested."How about Havenstone?" They didn't look like that plan was even worthy of their consideration. "Imogen, inside you is growing a possible heir to House Ishara. An attack on you would be an attack on Ishara. Barring you betraying the Amazons, you would be perfectly safe.""Wonderful," Mom's sarcasm dripped off every word. "I'm going to be a grandmother to my nephew while my son is bringing a child into the world that can double as his cousin.""That sound pretty horrible, Mom. It is the truth, but it still sounds pretty terrible."While those words tumbled out of my mouth, I did a little soul back-searching. How in the fuck was   outside of the actual fucking   was Imogen pregnant? My existence was a freaking fluke of nature. A few words were bandied about the room while I was lost in deductive reasoning and turning hunches into assumptions and turning those into reasonable mystic hypotheses.I created the Mojo-Little Engine that thought it could. Specifically, the legacy of Vranus. Legions of little Vranusian sperm had been jumping hurdle after hurdle to keep the faith alive   that Vranus would meet his Ancestors with his mission accomplished. I was already half way there.Still, the legacy of Vranus and the hopes of Dot Ishara hadn't stopped in their struggle just because I had been born. They were still trying to restore the mortal descendants of a Dead House. They were also still spiritually pushing me on to fulfill his last command   to save the Arinniti sons.I was halfway there by returning the offspring of Bolu, Vranus' fellow guardian, back to the fold. It remained for me to round up the purpose of the whole mission in the first place. My semen weren't taking a chance that I could get gakked before that was accomplished. Having knocked up an augur despite the toxic soup she called blood should have been a dire warning to me, I'm an idiot.When the curse of Sarrat Irkalli clashed with the actions of Dot Ishara, Ishara had won. Sarrat Irkalli sought to deny Alal any children of his own. Dot was insisting the male line of Vranus Ishara continue on. The end result was Alal received his long-denied grandson, who just happened to also want him dead because of a feud that stretched back over two millennia.As an added insult, his grandson then knocked up one of Alal's genetically manipulated daughters, again giving him something he couldn't accomplish on his own   heirs   grand-sons and  daughters, most who would also want to kill him, being Amazons and members of the 9 Clans after all. Why? Cause Goddesses are bitches, that's why.That got me to wondering when would be the next time I was going to meet Ishara. I hadn't suffered severe head trauma in while and she was overdue for some snuggle time, witty banter and a fortune cookie. I'd try to be careful. It wouldn't do any good, but I had to try."Why are you crying?" Mom touched my arm."No reason," I lied."Why don't we make plans for tonight?" Deidre insinuated herself next to me. "We'd like to meet Hana. From what I understand, Father likes her.""No can-do," I sniffled. "I've got an orgy with 159 women at 8 o'clock, except there won't be any sex, or fun of any kind. Basically, I have to convince a roomful of women to not beat me up and take my stuff.""You don't have to go," Imogen had finished boxing me in   I had a chair behind me and Momma-clones all around."For the same reason I'm going to take care of our child, Imogen, I have to go to this meeting. People are counting on me to do the right thing without telling me what the right thing to do is.""That's unfair," Deidre empathized by stroking my chest."Not so. This is just another day in the life of a new hire at Havenstone Commercial Investments. Every day is like this and in five more days, the real fun beings." That wasn't entirely accurate. I had one good, stress-free week. It was when Carrig put me in a coma. That week I had done pretty well for myself.{9:28 am, Wednesday, Sept. 3rd ~ 5 Days to go}I trundled my latest 'Assistant-in-Charge of keeping the hopes of future Isharans alive' (I didn't want to call Aunt Imogen, or any other woman, my 'Baby-Mamma'), along with Mom and Deidre, for a meet-and-greet with Buffy. I had spelled out in no uncertain terms that Buffy was the power behind the Ishara Throne and thus making 'her' believe they were playing on the up-and-up was their best hope for easing relations between the O'Shea and the Amazon Host.After they left me (with the assurance we'd be getting back together for lunch, with Hana), I made three calls. I needed to make a formal request to Katrina (any Illuminati member(s) entering any Amazon facility was her purview) and another to Elsa (as a sign of respect) that Aunt Imogen and two unarmed bodyguards, max, needed to see our medicos about a delicate issue.The third call was to Buffy to enlighten her as to both the arrival of another one of my aunts (so we needed to get along peacefully with her) and that Aunt Imogen was carrying yet another potential heir to House Ishara. I suggested it would be a symbolic gesture if a member of House Ishara could hang around for the visit, as it might impress upon Imogen our House had a vested interest in keeping her alive."Another one?" Buffy sizzled. "And this one is your aunt?""It is a date then," I stumped her."You are going to take your pregnant aunt out on a date?" Buffy's sizzle meter was rapidly climbing to Krakatoa proportions."Nope. I'm setting up a date for us. You, me and a quiet location at 12:01 am Tuesday morning, my First. Later in the morning, I'll be heading out to wherever they have stored Felix so we can work on some cooperative strategy.""And if I say 'no'?" She was terribly grumpy."Ugh, I guess I'll go bar-crawling with Odette and Timothy, Gay and Lesbian bars only. That way I know I'll behave.""And if they say 'no'?" she was slightly less hostile."I'll know you threatened their lives, and then you and I will finally find out who is better on the mats. Trust me, it will not be an experience you will enjoy.""I don't know. I think I'd like that.""No. You start threatening the other people I love and you will not be happy; I guarantee that, Buffy."She realized I was both serious and angry. She had stepped out of bounds, the 'bounds' I had set up two hours earlier during our elevator ride."Is the meeting still on for the night?" she evaded my disappointment."Yes. Will you be there?""Of course," she grumped."Buffy, don't bother showing up if you can't separate 'us' as friends, 'us' as Wakko Ishara and my First, and you as my apprentice."Making me miserable in the first relationship doesn't help the latter two one bit. I try not to be an irresponsible asshole as House Head. More than anyone else, you know what I will sacrifice to be Ishara and one with my Isharans. I'll also step out and be plain ole 'Cáel Nyilas' when events permit.""But I am sick and tired of people not taking my desire to be foolish and care-free seriously. Being a dogmatic ass-hat isn't in me, but if you can't work with that, from here on out we are Wakko Ishara and Buffy Ishara and nothing more. I will still trust you as an Isharan, but not as a friend. Your choice.""Don't be such an asshole!" she snapped."Screw you!" I fired back. "I made a fucking effort to plan out some personal time with you, disguised as a joke; you knew it and you still decided to be a ball-buster. Like I need another fucking ball-buster right now, with all the other shit on my plate. You know better!" I was screaming. The people in JIKIT were working overtime at not staring at me."I'm under a ton of stress here too," she snarled. "I have to deal with the Council, keep our House growing and fulfill my obligations with Executive Services.""Do you want to quit? No longer by my 'apprentice'? Go back to working for Katrina full time?""Really?" she whispered."Of course the fuck not!" I shouted. "I didn't pick you for the job because of your sterling personality, or your bedroom excellence. I picked you because I had, and still have, utter faith in your ability to do whatever is necessary to overcome the landfill-sized colossal ill-fortune the Ancestors have dumped in our lap.""I'm just asking you to stop being a whiny, over-sensitive cunt and remember: it was the psychotic bitch who I chose for the top spot," I rumbled."I'm going to kick your ass," she seethed."Nice to know. We on for Monday night?"Pause."Yes," and she hung up. Two seconds later my phone rang again. "Buffy?" I answered. "And don't be late!" she menaced, then hung up again."So," Addison turned my way, "are you praying for World Peace to break out, or Nuclear War?""Hardy-har-har," I griped."Now that your personal drama is temporarily derailed, we have something for you to look at," Mehmet motioned for my attention. "Ever heard of Kōfuku no Kagaku?" I shook my head. "It translates over as 'Happy Science' and it is a cult-like organization in Japan.""Cool beans. Why do I have a sinking impression it is not a front for the Ninja?""That is what we want you to find out," Addison took over. "Of critical importance is the news conference their leader, Ryuho Okawa, gave earlier this afternoon/morning (~ 3:17 pm Tokyo time = 2:17 am East Coast time ~), especially a very relevant part of his interesting public announcement."He claims to be the Earthly manifestation of the Supreme Being. That is old news. Today he claimed that Temujin of the Khanate was the reincarnation of the original Genghis Khan and, with him, Ryuho, as the unifier of theological forces and therefore serving as spiritual advisor to Temujin, they would usher in a new period of Peace throughout Asia.""I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop," I exhaled."He also claims that Japan is in the midst of an epic struggle, both spiritually and in the physical sense. The 'ancient guardians' of Japanese purity, the 6 Ninja Families, are at war with the depth of all Evil, the Chinese Seven Pillars of Heaven by name, who are determined to drag all of Asia away from the Light and into the Darkness of pain, degradation and slavery."In fact I quote: 'Alone among the nations of the Earth, only the Japanese cultural identity can stand firm against this global menace. Only the Japanese can keep the torch of true Enlightenment aloft. Only the Japanese can guide the development of the Khanate into the Supreme Empire it is meant to be'.""I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this guy is pseudo-religious, a Japanese ultra-nationalist as well as anti 'all things Sino'," came out of my mouth."Correct.""None of the Secret Societies would do something so public. Temujin's background is a mystery, but no one in the Khanate is calling him a reincarnated spirit, and they know the truth," I continued."This guy is pretty nutty," Mehmet confirmed. "He also claims to channel Buddha, Mohammed, Christ and Confucius. His followers worship him as the Earthly manifestation of the 'Supreme Being' named El Cantare, which is yet another name for any number of ancient supreme deities. And he claims to consult with the 'spirit guardians' of national leaders and aids in their mystic defense, with the aid of the Five Sacred Sisters' Spirits."Clearly this man was insane. Unfortunately, insane didn't make someone wrong,"Ah Hell," I muttered.Mehmet and Addison perked up; after all, figuring out the bizarre was my position on the team."He probably is insane, and I can't blame him," I sighed. "He isn't El Cantare; he is in touch with the Weave.""I have a feeling this is 'not good'," Addison murmured. "How bad is it?""The Five Sacred Spirit Sisters are most likely the five augurs who died in order to save Temujin, which, in turn, allies the 9 Clans with the E&S and Amazons to 'save' Japan, though it is not 'saved' yet.""Technically, the Weave IS the Supreme Being. It's largely indifferent, yet capable of doing both good and ill in response to outside (aka mortal) stimuli. If you can observe the Weave, you might be able to see the most likely path destiny is taking as well as the key players screwing with that destiny."That would include the Gong Tau sorcerers and the ninjas use of their own brand of magic; and God only knows what other mystic tricks the others have been attempting.""How do we get them to stop?" Captain Delilah Faircloth muttered."Not that easy Delilah. Everyone in this room has intersected because of a magic experiment that happened before any of us were born (Mom).""The fight at Summer Camp was flipped on its head because I saw the ghost the 7 Pillars sent to scout the area. My freeing of one of those trapped and tortured souls led to the calamity at the Barbeque Pit. I didn't use magic. I countered it. Still, my actions were interfering with the Weave."All four people the augurs, those Five Sisters, told me about had been dead at some point in time, some for thousands of years. Ajax didn't kill anyone using magic. Neither has Saku, yet both of them are products of disruptions in the Weave. 'Me' being alive and breathing is yet another disruption, since I shouldn't exist because of another mystic curse from five thousand years ago."Being alive and killing people means I've killed people who shouldn't be dead. Do we need to go into all the millions that have died in the Khanate war? Which was a combination of a resurrected Temujin and the 7 Pillars hunger for World Domination, if we do nothing, the rippled of those other disruption will still carry on."Except for me, no one on this taskforce has used an iota of magic, yet we are all dedicated to combatting mystical forces," I related to the group. I wondered where Rikki (Martin) and Beatrice (Ya Konan) had gotten off to. Lady Yum-Yum being absent only made my 'Scooby' senses tingle more."You use magic?" Agent-86 tilted his head in curiosity."I talk to a Goddess on a semi-regular business. I see ghosts. I've been the conveyer of messages from dead people and I've killed an un-killable man. Do we need to go back over my kidnapping by the 7 Pillars? The memories of my undead Grandfather floating around in my head?""I'm not calling thunderbolts out of the sky and shooting fireballs out my ass, but what I am doing is magical, nonetheless.""So, what do we recommend to our allies and benefactors (i.e., our sovereign governments)?" Mehmet inquired."Hmm, we tell our governments this crackpot is a Prophet of Doom who could be turned into an asset," I rubbed my brow with all four fingers and a thumb. Rikki, Beatrice and Lady Worthington-Burke quietly entered the room. They were all highly pleased in a 'I just won the lottery' kind of way. I was curious, but had to carry on with my train of thought."Quietly start seeking out other mystic societies, preferably low-key, quiet types who avoid the limelight, and start looking into other forms of magical insight and, quite frankly, protection. If the Weave has let this happen, we can expect worse. Lastly, I'll ask my 'Brother' to meet with this guy and get a feel for his personality.""That will only increase the believability of his ramblings," Addison protested."The boat called 'Denial' has already sailed. The World is in crisis. People are going to look for non-conventional answers. It is better to get ahead of this and bring Ryuho Okawa on board as a 'consultant'. Don't give him the whole picture by any means. The guy is definitely a loose cannon. Even worse, he is also a loose cannon the Weave has touched.""Besides, the Seven Pillars are going to figure this out pretty quick, their Weave sensitivity, ya know, and either kidnap him to be their own spiritual seismic sensor, or kill him for being both a loose cannon and yet another person screwing with their 'best laid plans'. Keeping him alive has the added benefit of making the Seven Pillars expend resources trying to get at him. Japan needs every bit diversion they can get."Let's not forget to tell our Secret Society allies of our plans, lest they kill him too. His babblings aren't going to make the 9 Clans or the E&S happy with him. They both have an established habit of making perceived enemies dead. Let's keep him alive and utilize this opportunity.""I like this plan," Addison nodded. Mehmet was clearly on board as well. Agent-86 clearly was playing the best on-line mystic MMORPG ever! (And with the added bonus that his team's action had real-world consequences.) The three 'ladies' new to the room received an abbreviated version of our discussion and my 'suggestions'. They weren't really suggestions. Barring a few insanely criminal endeavors, JIKIT treated me like a true asset."Something else big?" Addison looked to her British counterpart (Yum-Yum)."The Japanese Diet has voted for a public referendum on a Constitutional Amendment to repeal/revise Article 96 of the Japanese Constitution.""Oh fuck," was echoed, either verbally or subliminally, by everyone in the room except for me, Delilah and Agent-86.'Cáel' knew Jack and Shit about the Japanese Constitution. Hell, I barely knew about the US one and I was a native. However, Alal did know it, and knew both what Article 96 was and what its amendment really meant. Good-old 96 was the rolling dark cloud across the political Great Plains that heralded a swarm of tornados. Clouds were clouds and their arrival could mean anything.Article 96 dictated how the Japanese Constitution could be amended. The current process was a 2/3rd vote in both the House of Councilors (the 'Upper House', roughly equivalent to our Senate) and the House of Representatives (the 'Lower' House) followed by a public referendum. The proposed amendment to Article 96 would transform the process to a mere majority vote in both Houses.Imagine the shit-storm which would be unleashed if the US Congress tried to pull that shit. The biggest political issue was that the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held 294 of the 475 seats in the lower house (a clear majority) and 115 of the 242 in the Upper House (7 seats short of a majority). If the amendment passed next month (October 14th to be precise), the LDP could pretty much do as they pleased.And what was the first thing they were going to do? They were going to put to rest another part of the Constitution, namely the far more globally important Article 9. And what was that?Real World Stuff: WarningsArticle 9:(1)Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.(2)To accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.If Article 9 was repealed, the Japanese nation could exercise diplomacy by military means, aka declaring an offensive war against a foreign power. Currently Japan had a modest budget military budget of $48 Billion a year (Earth's 10th largest). It was modest when you considered it was a mere 1% of the Japanese GDP. Great Britain, France and South Korea's smaller economies all functioned nicely with double that percentage for their military budget.Regionally, every other nation was increasing their military expenditures, except Japan's protector, the US and (perhaps) North Korea, who's spending on anything was a closely guarded state secret. Right now, China and the Khanate's military expenditures were running roughly even at $180 billion each, but this was an arm's race the PRC would eventually win, they had too great an advantage in the size of their workforce and a far larger industrial base.The truth was, if the PRC couldn't win this race fast, she was facing a long, grinding war reminiscent of the Communists' Long Rise to Power that wrecked their country a century ago. The monetary dynamic was shifting badly against them because the Khanate wasn't alone.India, Taiwan and Vietnam were also ramping up their war spending to a combined tune of $34 billion and now allied with the Khanate, equating to an additional $90 billion the PRC had to overcome. South Korea was already adding $8 billion to their military and Russia was taxing the fuck out of Manchuria to both pay for their 'Peaceful Intervention' and to increase the 'Readiness' of their other forces.All of this military spending was bad for both the regional and global economies (unless you were Israel who was turning out hardware 24/7/365 for the Khanate and Indian war machines). So at this point, Japan doing 'nothing' was possibly more disastrous than doing 'something' else.They were already spending $50 fucking billion on glorified policemen while the future of East Asia was being decided without them. Doubling the military budget would place a huge burden on the largely pacifistic population. It would also put Japan in the position of deciding the Fate of Nations.With the repeal of Article 9, Japan could utilize 'proactive means' to keep the naval supply routes to China open, not even the Indian's had the naval presence to confront the Japanese. Such a policy was a nice, friendly gesture to the Asian Colossus, who wasn't likely to show a shred of appreciation for their efforts.No, China had spent the last 60 years stoking the hatred of the Land of the Rising Sun among their people. (Many Japanese forgot current Chinese hatred was based on the Japanese butchering their way across China for nearly a decade between 1937 to 1945).(The Cornerstone) There was a truism which had guided American, Chinese, Japanese and Russian political thought for 150 years: 'There could only be one supreme power in East Asia and the Eastern Pacific'. Japan had followed the logical expression of that paradigm by invading Taiwan (1895), Korea (1910), beating up on Imperial Russia (1904), taking Manchuria (1931) and going to war with China (1937) while that country was trapped in a bloody civil war.To stop the Empire of Japan's rise, the US had attempted to cripple the Japanese economy before the Empire could harvest their just-acquired Asian natural resources. In response, Japan had thrown its soldiers and sailors into a futile effort against the British Empire, the United States and China and lost.With Imperial Japan crushed and the Soviet Union preoccupied in Europe, China had risen. The irresistible force of China's rapidly increasing population, natural resources exploitation and extensive land mass took hold. Japan couldn't compete in a 'fair' fight. Since 1945, the Japanese government had lived with the fear of aggression from Russia and/or China aimed their way.The US felt the same way, or they had. The fear produced by the broad acceptance of 'Only-One-Shall-Rule-Asia' had led to the Korean War, the half-century cease-fire along the Demilitarized Zone in Korea and the Vietnamese Civil War. The Communists in China and Russia had feuded until the Soviet Union collapsed under its own economic inadequacies.A reborn Russia, even with the ultra-nationalist Putin at the helm, couldn't stop China's growing domination. Asia was China's for the taking, until the Khanate rose up like some desert mirage in the Western Steppe, one that turned into the Mother of All Storms. So now, miraculously, the dominion of Asia was up for grabs once more.Japan could not overcome China; that was a given. The Dragon had more people, more resources and an almost three-fold larger economy. Given a decade, the PRC would grind the Khanate down. Once more it was the tyranny of numbers. Even India, Taiwan and Vietnam could only slow down the inevitable.India's subpar economic output marginalized the power of their citizenry. Taiwan had the proportional economy, but not nearly enough people. Vietnam had neither and had always had a rough time defending themselves, much less been successful confronting powers beyond her homeland. Putin's Mother Russia had a host of other problems, internal and external, so she had already contributed as much as Putin dared.Until Thursday morning, Tokyo Time, the undeniable Destiny of Asia remained in the hands of those men in Beijing. The dominoes were falling in a way those rulers had not foreseen and now fumed over. But on Wednesday night, there was no industrial power (with the population to back it up) which could threaten the People's Republic of China.Europe and the US wouldn't intervene. Much like the leadership in Japan, the Communist Chinese Politburo believed Putin had wagered as much as dared. No other nation on Earth mattered. Japan? That was laughable. Their Constitution bound the hands off their military behind their backs with a pledge of eternal pacifism.The Chinese weren't blind to the 250,000 men and women of the Japanese Self Defense Force. Without the political will, those troops might have well have been in Brazil. A hostile Brazil was actually a greater worry because Brazil was the powerhouse of South America, a G-8 economy and hungered for a Permanent Seat on the UN Security Council. The PRC was dedicated to denying their desire as it would have diluted the PRC's burgeoning diplomatic power.Japan? Ha.Thursday morning, in what was essentially an undetected (by anyone except the Ninja and JIKIT) coup d' tat, pacifism was sacrificed on the Altar of Nationalism. Article 96's demise was pre-ordained. A poll taken on July 1st, 42% of Japanese felt positively about the repeal of Article 96 while 46% opposed it.The same agency took a new poll on August 28th. The economic-political situation of Japan was going through a titanic tidal shift. If Buddhism moved you toward devout pacifist, the Khanate had liberated Tibet and was clearly withdrawing as the UN troops' boots hit the ground.If you were a Nationalist of any kind, you were seeing a whole lot more people at your rallies, accessing your websites and signing up to join your formerly fringe parties. If you were a Socialist, you were scared. Why? The PRC was in the process of nationalizing all of Japan's (and South Korea's and Taiwan's) business interests in China, for the 'Duration of the Emergency', or so they said.That meant plenty of Japanese workers were losing their jobs and looking to blame someone. You couldn't blame the centrist LDP. The LDP had been working alongside the Japanese Communist Party for months. They had done nothing wrong and had worked tirelessly for a peaceful diplomatic solution. It was their 'comrades' in China, their Marxist confederates, who were costing the hard-working Japanese workers their jobs.If you were in the Establishment, all of the above worried the crap out of you. Japan's economy had been limping along at barely-positive growth for a decade. Your aging population needed more and more from their public services and, worst of all, you had nothing in your political and economic tool box to escape the obvious oncoming national catastrophe.The possibility of a Global Recession loomed on the horizon, if they were lucky. Highly respected economists in Japan and elsewhere were examining all the key indicators over the past three months and were suggesting hording as a viable policy for middle class households to consider. If you were in the Developing World, worse was heading your way.The word being bandied about on those esteemed academic internet websites wasn't 'recession', it was depression. Global prosperity thrived on nations investing in both their own economy and the economies of other nations. The governments representing a third of the World's population were not investing in their economies.Unless you were a war profiteer, you could expect fewer consumer goods on the shelves; and what was there would cost more. Your income wasn't going up; your expenses were. If you were an Atheistic homeowner in the Western World with a secured 3.25% fixed rate home loan, you took up religion. The prime interest rate would be racing for the 20% mark and that was only if your economy was stable.If you lived in a country in the Developing World, your trade goods didn't compete with those created in the G-20. Your competition was with other Developing World businesses and the prize was the pocketbooks of those consumers in the G-20, which was a shrinking purse.It wasn't like you were being paid all that much to begin with; and now those once poor-paying, but at least plentiful, jobs were drying up. You needed your government to help you out. It wasn't like those governments could raise money by taxing the unemployed and under-employed. They didn't have money. And the rich in most of those same nations had a long and successful legacy of avoiding paying.Those growing economies had a few tried and tested 'solutions' for getting their countries through these rough stretches.The IMF? 'We are out to make 'positive' capital investments and your economic outlook doesn't look promising. We suggest 'austerity'.'The BRICS? Since India and China were basically in an undeclared state of war: 'we won't be loaning anyone anything for a while.'The BIS? 'As soon as the People' Bank of China, the Reserve Bank of India, the Central Bank of Ireland, the Bank of Israel and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey get back to us about their sudden, serious lack of transparency, we'll call you back.'World Bank? Holy Shit! 'The world's going down the toilet, we will do what we can.'F Y I, I (as in Cáel) had been wrong. The 6 Elders of the Ninja families didn't talk to Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Awbee. They talked with another, far more immediately important man. So sue me (Cáel) for not knowing the inner workings of various world governments, and creatively interpreting events surrounding all those people I (Cáel) didn't. I'm a freaking Liberal Arts major with a fertile imagination, not a superspy, or even a competent Intelligence Analyst!}The Japanese government had appealed to the U.S., U.N., P.R.C., A.S.E.A.N., India; and (through back channels aka JIKIT) the Khanate for an end to this madness; all with typical results:The U.S.A: We are working on it (without letting them know what precisely they were working on)Japan: Well, do something fast. Our Government Bonds are about to be more useful as wallpaper.The U.N.: We are working on it (with their long-established tradition of not doing anything until the crisis had passed)Japan: You are preparing to pass a Resolution to move this matter from the First Committee to the Fourth Committee, gee, thanks guys. Will they be meeting sometime before Christmas?The PRC: We are too busy right now, so shut up, keep the trade lanes open, and was that your submarine we detected sneaking into our territorial waters?Japan: What? What do you mean you are 'too busy?' You are one of our biggest trading partners, your economy is going down the toilet, and, No! That was not our submarine in your territorial waters. That accusation is absurd.(Note from Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Awbee, to Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, head of the JMSDF {the de facto Japanese Navy}), The PRC has made this outrageous claim that one of our submarines has been sneaking around their territorial waters. There is no truth to that rumor, right?Kawano: Which time?Prime Minister: Oh My God! What have you people been doing and why is this the first time I'm hearing about it?Kawano: Sir, if you are just now getting around to asking us, you don't want to know.Prime Minister: What do you mean 'I don't want to know?' I'm the head of the damn government and, you are right. Fine. There is no way I'm going back to the Chinese Ambassador and apologizing for any this. Is there any way this can come back to screw us over?Kawano: With all these US and British submarines helping us out, not very likely, Prime Minister.Prime Minister: Oh, very good. You are correct, I don't want to know what you 'haven't' been doing. I am ordering you to destroy all transcripts and recordings of this conversation.Kawano: It has been my distinct honor not having this conversation with you, Prime Minister. Sayōnara.ASEAN, What do you expect us to do about this? Have you seen the unimpressive combined sizes of our members' air forces and navies? Did you see the smack-down the Khanate has inflicted on the PLAN's South China Sea Fleet?Besides, the PRC is claiming that the Khanate launched covert attacks against the Parcels and Spratly islands which originated from Indonesian and Filipino waters. We are investigating the issue. If you are asking us for help, you are truly screwed. Don't call us. We will call you.Japan, {muttering} Investigating the attacks that came from your territory, bullshit! You are covering your own asses, damn it!(Note from Prime Minister, Shinzō Awbee, to Shotaro Yachi, Japanese National Security Advisor), I've heard an ugly rumor that the Khanate has forces secreted in the Philippines and Indonesia. Do you happen to know anything about it?Yachi: Yes Sir. We had advance notice of the organization, composition and destination of those forces.Awbee (while muttering 'no one tells me anything anymore'): What the! Would you please tell me what is going on.Yachi: We have made critical steps toward future alliances which will guarantee Japanese security for decades to come.Awbee What does that mean, and since when have you been creating and implementing foreign policy? We have a Minister for that, in case you somehow over-looked him at the last cabinet meeting. Wait! Does he know about this too?Yachi: No Sir, Foreign Minister Kishida is currently unaware of the Kinkyū tokushu sakusen tasukufōsu (Emergency Special Operations Task Force). Admiral Katsutoshi knows the basics of our operational policy, since we need to borrow some of his assets from time to time. Director-General Kitada (of the Public Security Intelligence Agency) and key personnel from the Foreign Ministry's Intelligence & Analysis Service and Security Bureau make up the majority of the task force's operatives.Awbee: What have you been doing?Yachi: You don't want to know, Mr. Prime Minister. It would make things, awkward.Awbee: 'You don't want to know', of course, I don't. I'm only the elected head of this government. Why would I possibly want to know what acts of espionage and war my deputies are executing?Yachi: I am glad we are on the same page, Sir. Will there be anything else?Awbee: No, wait. Do you have any intelligence on what the Khanate is up to?Yachi: Yes Sir. Is there anything in particular you want to know?Analysis Services: Can you contact someone in their leadership willing to discuss regional affairs?Yachi: I can put you in touch with the Great Khan himself if necessary.AS: What!Yachi: Sir, I would hardly be acting in our nation's best interests if I couldn't divine the intentions of the key players on the stage. Shall I initiate the necessary communications to facilitate that level of clandestine diplomatic contact?AS: No. Yes. No, I need to think about this. Hmm, have you been conducting any domestic espionage missions?Yachi: You don't want me to answer that, Sir.Awbee: of course I don't, I'm only the damn Prime Minister. Shotaro, I'm still Prime Minister, aren't I?Yachi: Yes Sir. We have been working overtime to ensure that. We've foiled two enemy assassination attempts and one attempted kidnapping so far. We remain vigilant.AS: How come this is the first I'm hearing about it? Is the head of my security in on this conspiracy of yours too?Yachi: No Sir. These particular guardians wish to avoid notoriety at all costs.Awbee: Okay. Good to know. Ah, keep up the good work and destroy any trace of this conversation.Yachi: Way ahead of you, Sir. Have a good night.India, Yes, we are more than willing to work with you toward regional stability. Care to acknowledge the Khanate's legitimacy first? We'd really appreciate it. Sure, get back to us when you've done that. Until then, the South China Sea Awaits! Yes, we plan to keep what we've earned. Later now. We think there is going to be further instability in Southeast Asia.Japan, Ya think? It is your damn warships sailing around the freaking South China Sea enforcing your utterly un-secret alliance with the Khanate. Why are you doing this to us? What have we ever done to you?The Khanate, We are not out to damage your national interests. We apologize, but there is now way we will call off this war with the Communist Chinese. It is them, or us, to the death. We have already received and agreed to your request to allow all Japanese flagged ships safe transit through the South China Sea. We really wish to be your friends this time, to make up for those two invasion attempts seven hundred years ago.(Note from  Prime Minister to Self) Great. The only reasonable people who aren't out to kick me in the nuts are also the ones I can't acknowledge talking to. I've got to do something a

This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, France 24, Radio Deutsche-Welle, and Radio Havana Cuba. http://youthspeaksout.net/swr250321.mp3 (29:00) From JAPAN- China is criticizing a Hong Kong based company willing to sell 2 ports in the Panama Canal to US investors. Lula da Silva criticized American tariffs, called for reform in the UN Security Council, and worries about the lack of focus on the environment. Poland and 3 other countries bordering Russia announced plans to begin using land mines again. From FRANCE- Finland was again found to have the happiest occupants on the planet aided by a national emphasis on nature. Then UK press reviews on talk of sending thousands of troops to Ukraine as part of up to 30,000 from 5 other countries. An interview with a frontline medic in Ukraine. Then regional press reviews on the bombing raids by Israel killing 400 mostly women and children in Gaza. From GERMANY- Reporting on the Israeli attacks on Gaza followed by excerpts from an interview with Oliver McTernan, Director of the NGO Forward Thinking. He has worked for years negotiating conflicts in the Middle East and we will hear him speak to the role of the US in the surprise return to massive carnage by the Israeli forces. From CUBA - Trump ended funding for Radio Free Europe, the VOA, and Radio Marti. The Ecuadorian President announced an alliance with Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, to combat organized crime using mercenaries. The US flew more than 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador to be imprisoned for a fee in a maximum security terrorist confinement center. Available in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (160kb)(33MB), broadcast quality (13MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml PODCAST!!!- https://feed.podbean.com/outFarpress/feed.xml (160kb Highest Quality) Website Page- < http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml ¡FurthuR! Dan Roberts "We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late." -- Edward R Murrow Dan Roberts Shortwave Report- www.outfarpress.com YouthSpeaksOut!- www.youthspeaksout.net

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. AP photo: Al-Ahli hospital after airstrikes Israel strikes on Gaza leave people searching for loved ones under rubble, many locals blame Washington for collapse of ceasefire Airstrikes end Gaza ceasefire as Netanyahu says “only the beginning,” Palestinian ambassador tells UN Security Council act or you will become irrelevant Trump, Putin agree to pause in strikes on energy infrastructure, Zelensky hopes to speak to Trump to get more details California democrats say Medicaid cuts would hurt poor, disabled, and hospitals that serve everyone Federal complaint says ICE detentions violate law, Constitution, and 3-year-old legal agreement from first Trump administration The post Israeli airstrikes bring Gaza ceasefire to violent end; Trump and Putin agree to pause in strikes on energy infrastructure in Ukraine – March 18, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageFive years after a mysterious virus emerged from Wuhan, China, we're still grappling with unanswered questions about COVID-19's origins and accountability. Drawing from Sharri Markson's eye-opening book "What Really Happened in Wuhan," we explore a remarkable January 2020 meeting where Chinese democracy advocate Wei Jingsheng warned Washington insiders about a suspicious virus leak from a laboratory—weeks before the world understood what was coming.This pivotal conversation raises profound questions: Why hasn't there been a comprehensive investigation into COVID-19's origins comparable to the Nuremberg trials after WWII or the tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia? Top intelligence officials from multiple nations now believe a laboratory accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology represents the most probable explanation. Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove states "the weight of evidence is actually on the escapee side," while former CIA Director Mike Pompeo identifies the Wuhan lab as the likely source. Yet meaningful accountability remains out of reach.We examine the unique geopolitical challenges preventing justice—China's superpower status, the difficulty in establishing clear intent versus negligence, and international reluctance to confront Beijing. The stark reality is that China has been the source of multiple serious disease outbreaks in recent decades, raising urgent questions about global biosafety standards and potential consequences for nations that repeatedly endanger global health. Despite these obstacles, the millions who lost their lives deserve our continued pursuit of truth and accountability. Five years may not be enough time to untangle this complex catastrophe, but history shows that persistence in seeking justice matters, however challenging that path may be.Join us as we reflect on this somber anniversary and consider what meaningful steps toward accountability might still be possible, even as the window for justice narrows with each passing year.Key Points from the Episode:• Exploring Sharri Markson's book "What Really Happened in Wuhan" and key early warning from Chinese democracy advocate Wei Jingsheng• Comparing COVID-19 to historical justice mechanisms like Nuremberg, Rwanda, and Cambodia tribunals• Examining statements from intelligence leaders including former MI6 and CIA heads supporting the lab leak theory• Analyzing the geopolitical obstacles preventing meaningful investigation and accountability• Questioning what justice might look like five years after the pandemic began• Highlighting China's repeated role in pandemic outbreaks over recent decades• Considering whether stronger international biosafety standards and potential UN Security Council consequences should be implementedKeep fighting the good fight and seeking truth about COVID-19's origins despite the challenges.Other resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly, thank you so much!Because we care what you think about what we think and our website, please email David@teamm

Donald Trump stokes US recession fears triggering a share market meltdown, Anthony Albanese rules out a last-ditch trip to Washington. Plus, calls grow for a private UN Security Council meeting over spirallling violence in war-torn Syria.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*Qatar calls for safeguards for all Israeli nuclear facilities Qatar reiterated its call for intensified international efforts Saturday to subject all of Israel's nuclear facilities to the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Qatar's Ambassador Jasim Yacoub Al Hammadi highlighted “the need for the international community and its institutions to uphold their commitments under resolutions of the UN Security Council, which called on Israel to subject all of its nuclear facilities to IAEA safeguards.” He also highlighted “the urgency for the international community and its institutions to take decisive action to compel Israel to implement international resolutions, recognise the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state. *Russia says France has repeatedly lied Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has accused France of lying and violating international agreements, including the implementation of the Minsk agreements for a settlement in Ukraine and violated security guarantees given to Viktor Yanukovych, a former Ukrainian president. He stressed: "France, like other countries, didn't fulfill its guarantees. It was a real lie," adding that when French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of posing a threat to Europe, he did not mention France's mistakes. The Minsk Agreements were meant to resolve the Crimea crisis in 2014, as well as Eastern Ukraine. *Arab League denounces attack on security forces in Syria The Arab League condemned acts of violence and attacks on government security forces to fuel internal tensions and threaten civil peace in Syria. It expressed "condemnation of violence, attacks on government security forces, and reckless killings, threaten civil peace, and exacerbate the challenges Syria is facing at this critical stage."​​​​​​​ The Arab League emphasised that "such circumstances require a focus on policies and measures that strengthen and safeguard stability and civil peace to thwart any plans aimed at destabilising Syria and undermining its chances for recovery." *North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine for the first time North Korea has unveiled for the first time a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a weapons system that can pose a major security threat to South Korea and the US. The naval vessel appears to be a 6,000-ton-class or 7,000-ton-class one which can carry about 10 missiles, South Korean submarine expert said, adding the use of the term “the strategic guided missiles” meant it would carry nuclear-capable weapons. *Un warns South Sudan's peace process at risk amid growing violence A recent surge in violence and escalating political tensions in South Sudan are putting a fragile peace process in jeopardy, a UN human rights commission warned. "We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress," Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, said. She urged leaders to "urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy."

Nasser speaks with Héritier Lumumba, an Australian-Brazilian-Congolese former professional AFL player, known for his advocacy in human rights, focusing on racial equality, refugee rights, and supporting marginalised communities.They discuss the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Western imperialism and European colonization, the exploitation under King Leopold and the abuse, mutilation, and deaths of Congolese people, the extraction of the country's minerals, and the environmental and climate justice implications of this continued exploitation.Nasser also plays an excerpt from the documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (2024), which explores how Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach protested at the UN Security Council over Patrice Lumumba's murder. For more info on the challenges of the Congo and to support Congolese institutions, head to friendsofthecongo.org. Image credit: @hlumumba 

On Daybreak Africa: Several members at the UN Security Council have voiced concern over the declaration of a parallel government by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, while Kenya pushed back against accusations that it had recognized the entity. Plus, the UN Security Council is called upon to do more to protect Sudanese civilians. The UN says 50,000 people fleeing conflict in eastern DRC have crossed into Burundi. The chairman of Tanzania's main opposition party clarifies his “no reforms, no elections” policy. Nigeria warns that terrorist groups are adapting tactics and leveraging new technologies. Malawi's president withdraws misleading parts of a speech delivered before Parliament. More and more audiences are consuming news via social media in Kenya. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

The U.N. Security Council has adopted a neutral U.S. stance on the war in Ukraine. Plus, President Donald Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron.A judge blocks ICE enforcement actions at houses of worship.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses what might be at stake at the high court in a case surrounding 'reverse discrimination' claims.A judge blocks Elon Musk's DOGE from Education Department personnel information. Plus, the federal Office of Personnel Management notified workers they could ignore Elon Musk's latest DOGE directive.USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow Rachel Hale talks about sexual exploitation and its impact on American teens.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's episode focuses mainly on the rapidly changing shape of international relations under the influence of the Trump administration.Keir Starmer made a major speech at Westminster signalling an increase in defence spending from 2.3 to 2.6% from 2027 onwards. This at the expense of aid and development. We analyse the speech and how he sought to secure not only support in the Commons but across the nation.Starmer flies out to meet Trump on Thursday in the wake of the USA siding with Russia at the United Nations over the war in Ukraine. How will he handle this? What does the UK's abstention in the UN Security Council vote tell us about this? In Germany the CDU/CSU became the largest party after the recent elections. However the far right AfD surged into second place. Will Merz, the leader of the CDU be able to form a coalition with the Social Democrats? Do his outspoken statements on Trump, NATO and Russia mean a complete change in pan European defence and security policy?Anas Sarwar claimed that the £200 million pound "investment" by the National Wealth Fund had secured the future of Grangemouth and showed the benefit of a Labour government. We subject both those statements to scrutiny.Along the way we look at the threat of AI legislation to the creative industries, Michael Shanks on Eigg, and biscuits. ★ Support this podcast ★

Israel prepares to occupy Gaza with US backing "Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said that the military is gearing up to occupy Gaza under newly appointed Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir—coordinating efforts with US President Donald Trump's administration. Smotrich issued a stark warning to the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, vowing a devastating offensive. He also said that when they decide the time has come to resume the war, everyone will be surprised by the unity, strength, and lethal precision of Israel's Gaza occupation. The Trump administration, he added, firmly backs the Israeli invasion of Gaza." UNSC passes resolution calling for end to Russia-Ukraine war "The UN Security Council has passed a resolution urging a “swift end” to the Russia-Ukraine war, though it fell short of stronger language pushed by the UK and EU. The US-drafted measure passed with 10 votes in favor and five abstentions. While hailed as a crucial step toward peace, the resolution avoided direct mention of Russia's annexations—fueling criticism. European envoys stressed Ukraine must dictate its own peace, rejecting any “false equivalence” between aggressor and victim." Russia proposes joint exploration of rare earth metals, energy with US "Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a rare economic deal with the US, offering joint exploration of rare earth metals and a potential supply of 2 million tons of aluminum annually—if US tariffs are lifted. He also hinted at energy cooperation in Siberia. Putin chaired a meeting with his officials to discuss rare earth metals following US President Donald Trump's statement, in which he said major economic development transactions with Russia would take place. Meanwhile, the Russian president signaled openness to slashing defence budgets by 50 percent to ease global tensions." Fighting in DR Congo's east kills 7,000 since January "Fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's eastern region has claimed 7,000 lives since January, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka has confirmed. Speaking in Geneva, she highlighted that over 3,000 deaths occurred in Goma alone, many of them civilians. Tuluka echoed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' concerns about the M23 rebel offensive, which is fuelling violence and human rights abuses. Amid growing fears of a regional war, she called for an immediate ceasefire and troop withdrawal, and welcomed US sanctions against Rwanda for supporting the rebel group." Apple announces $500B US investment in software development "Apple has pledged a massive investment of over $500 billion in the US over the next four years, a move that will create 20,000 new jobs, focusing on research and development, artificial intelligence, and software development. The tech giant will also open a manufacturing plant in Houston and an academy in Detroit to support advanced manufacturing. The company's CEO Tim Cook expressed confidence in America's innovation future, further cementing the company's commitment to US growth, following President Trump's tariff-driven push for domestic production."

The French and US Presidents met to discuss the war in Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion . Also, the UN Security Council backs a resolution calling for an end to the conflict.

Greece's two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council began at the outset of 2025. Since then, Greece has been at the heart of key discussions and initiatives - from playing a role in renewing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus to the Security Council adopting its resolution on maritime security in the Red Sea. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down Greece's priorities on the Security Council, and explain what this means for the country's global diplomatic standing.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece begins two-year term at UN Security CouncilUN Security Council adopts Red Sea resolution drafted by Greece, USCyprus and Chevron-led group agree on updated plan for offshore fieldCyprus and Egypt to sign natural gas commercialization agreementsGreek military eyes technological leap

Editors Jimmy Lovaas and Jaime Calle Moreno discuss the wildfires raging in Chile, plus more on the Munich Security Conference, a deadline for Hamas to release hostages, the UN Security Council meeting and South Korean President Yoon's criminal trial.Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and many more. These stories and others are also available in our free weekly Forecast newsletter.This episode includes work from Factal editors Jaime Calle Moreno, Irene Villora, Hua Hsieh, Jeff Landset and Vivian Wang. Produced and edited by Jimmy Lovaas. Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe. Have feedback, suggestions or events we've missed? Drop us a note: hello@factal.comWhat's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams. If you're a company interested in a trial, please email sales@factal.com. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at hello@factal.com.Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.Copyright © 2025 Factal. All rights reserved.

Send us a textToday we're breaking from our usual format. Instead of bringing you a fresh, in-depth analysis, we're taking a moment to reflect on a critical moment in the ongoing conflict: the recent hostage release and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.To do that, we'll be revisiting some of the key moments from our previous podcasts and media coverage. These clips help us piece together the complexities of this situation and the profound impact it's had on both sides. We'll hear from experts, those directly affected, and analysts who've been following these developments closely.So, rather than a typical episode, we're offering a snapshot—a look back at how the pieces have come together leading to this deal, and what it might mean for the future. Let's dive in.0:00 - Welcome0:05 - Talk TV - Eylon about Emily Damari1:05 - BBC - Mandy Damari about Emily3:14 - Eylon on rescuing Emily Damari5:00 - Mandy Damari speaking to Labour Friends of Israel5:46 - Mandy Damari on UN Security Council decisions7:21 - Title sequence7:36 - Clip from A Mother's Fight | Leah Goldin's 10-Year Battle to Rescue Her Son from Hamas' Dungeons 9:40 - Clip from “I was preparing myself to die” | Captivity Survivor Speaks on the Anniversary of Her Release with Aviva Siegel30:53 - Clip from GIVE ME BACK MY SON | Hostage Father's Urgent Plea with Jonathan Dekel-Chen36:54 - Clip from Fighting Under a Microscope | IDF's Tactical Precision Redefines with Yaakov Katz39:10 - Clip from Uncovering Hamas's S*xual War Crimes | Ayelet Razin Bet Or, Victim's AdvocateStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

A new year. A new United Nations. In this 2025 debut episode of To Save Us From Hell, Fordham University professor Anjali Dayal and I discuss what to expect in the year ahead at the United Nations. We cover a lot of ground—from the new composition of the UN Security Council to China's new status as a major funder of the UN system, the chaos Trump is likely to bring, and much, much more. Get 40% off your subscription by following this link! https://www.globaldispatches.org/40Off